Brasil Supply launched on the last day 11, the vessel BS Geribá, which will operate between ports and Petrobras platforms. The delivery is part of an investment plan of R$ 700 million, distributed in the construction of 17 vessels by 2015. BS Geribá is the first of four vessels that the company should launch later this year, with total investment of R$ 233 million.

Built in Arpoador shipyard, in Guarujá, BS Geribá is the fifth vessel that the company puts into operation. "We are consolidating our position in Brazil to then expand into other regions, but always linked to oil and gas industry, which requires vessels with a high degree of sophistication, technology and quality", says the company's president, José Ricardo Roriz.

Meet this goal, however, runs into difficulties. " Our cost of manufacturing and raw material are significantly higher than those of competing countries. Another gap is created by the needs of the latest technology and trained manpower , abundant in countries like Korea, Japan, China and Singapore , major competitors in the shipping industry, "says Roriz.

For the manager of Brasil Supply, Brazil wins only developing its shipbuilding industry. " We have great potential for water transportation and need to develop it to improve competitiveness and overcome the bottlenecks in infrastructure and logistics which now become more expensive product movement in the country", he said.

BS Geribá is a crew boat, type P3, with a capacity of 150 tons of general cargo and 60 passengers. Guided by modern navigation equipment and equipped with Doen waterjets and Caterpilar C32 engines of 4,800 BHP, navigates safely in excess of 25 knots speed .